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Physical activity and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis function in adolescents
Silja Martikainen1, Anu-Katriina Pesonen1, Jari Lahti2
1Institute of Behavioural Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland.
Psychoneuroendocrinology
|July 29, 2014
Summary
Physical activity (PA) impacts stress responses in adolescents. Higher PA in girls lowers cortisol, while in boys, it enhances stress hormone suppression, showing sex-specific effects.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Adolescent Health
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Limited understanding of physical activity (PA) and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis (HPAA) activity in adolescents.
- PA-well-being links in youth warrant further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine associations between objectively-measured PA and HPAA activity in adolescent girls and boys.
- Investigate PA's relationship with diurnal salivary cortisol and post-dexamethasone suppression test (DST) cortisol levels.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 150 girls and 133 boys (mean age 12.4 years) in Helsinki, Finland.
- Objective PA measurement using accelerometers over 4+ days.
- Salivary cortisol measured across one day and after an overnight low-dose DST.
Main Results:
- In girls, higher overall PA, vigorous PA (VPA), and less sedentary time correlated with lower morning cortisol.
- In boys, higher overall PA and less sedentary time were linked to greater cortisol suppression after DST.
- Associations were sex-specific; no link between PA/sedentary time and DST suppression in girls, or diurnal cortisol in boys.
Conclusions:
- Physical activity is associated with altered HPAA function in early adolescents.
- These associations demonstrate significant sex differences in PA-HPAA relationships during adolescence.
Keywords:
ActigraphyCortisolDexamethasone suppression testHypothalamic–pituitary–adrenocortical axisPhysical activityYouthMore Related Videos
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